Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Big 12 Pre-Season Poll, New No. 1

The Big 12 conference was conceived the best basketball conference in America last season. You had Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas, and many other Big 12 teams playing at a high level.

This season, nothing changes. You will have these teams playing with the same intensity; however, the Big 12 will embrace a new leader of the conference, if you ask the coaches.

In a poll where you cannot select your own team the Kansas State Wildcats received 10-first place votes, while the Kansas Jayhawks followed with two. Kansas State is considered to enter the season as a top-10 team. The most likely reason is senior guard Jacob Pullen.

The biggest shocker is Baylor at No. 4. The Baylor Bears returned LaceDarius Dunn, and Quincy Acey. They also acquired J'Mison Morgan, and brought in one of the best recruits in school history with Perry Jones.

My Big 12 sleeper team is the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado returned both Alec Burks, and Cory Higgins. Last season, these two collectively kept the Buffs' competitive with teams.

This dynamic duo will certainly be a force in the Big 12. Not to mention, the Buffs' added size to their frontcourt with the 2010 recruiting class.

This year’s team to watch is the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns have reserves that are ready to step up such as J’Covan Brown and Jordan Hamilton, and was able to lure in Tristian Thompson and Corey Joseph.

However, the Longhorns do not possess a bench, nor has their point guard problems been solved. The Longhorns will need to prove to teams that they are worthy of the No. 3 ranking in the Big 12.

Last season, the Longhorns reached the No. 1 ranking in all of College Basketball. But, after the loss to Kansas State the Longhorns went downhill. To prevent that this year, the Longhorns need to establish a point guard, and post presence.

Nonetheless, the Big 12 conference will be very competitive this season. The coaches have predicted 8-of-13 Big 12 champions and could do the same this year.